Maria Telkes and the Dover Sun House. The large windows faced the sun and collected heat and stored the energy in salts. Dover Sun House was one of the world’s first solar-heated houses. 

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In today’s modern world, most people rely on a range of appliances for the home. We use all sorts of appliances on a regular basis, and most of us would find life very difficult with the products that we have become used to. Of course, in today’s high-tech world, the range of appliances we have come to rely on has become increasingly advanced. At the same time, you can now get ones that are increasingly energy efficient, which can benefit your pocket, your home, and even the planet.

If you are looking for new appliances for the home and you want to ensure you invest in something that is energy efficient, turning to the internet is a great idea. There are many reasons why it is important to choose energy efficient appliances. For one, they are far better for your home and will use far less energy than older, less energy efficient alternative. Second, it means that you will be able to save money on your energy bills because your energy usage will be lower. Finally, you can also do your bit for the green cause by choosing energy efficient appliances. In this article, we will look at why you should go online to find the most energy efficiency appliances for your home.

Benefits of Going Online for Your Appliances

There are many reasons why you should consider going online for your energy efficient appliances, and this is something that more and more people do these days. Some of the benefits of doing this are:

You Have More Choice

One of the key benefits of going online for these appliances is that you can look forward to tremendous choice, and this then boosts the chances of you being able to find the perfect appliance for your needs. There are lots of makes and models you can choose from these days no matter what sort of appliance you are looking for. Going online makes it easy to access the wide range of options you can select from.

You Can Cut Costs Easily

Another thing to keep in mind is that it becomes far easier for you to cut costs when you go online for your energy efficient appliances. For instance, you can easily access online promos and discounts such as eBay discount codes to help you to save more money on higher-cost products such as appliances. You can also easily access online sales and clearance deals to help cut costs.

The Ability to Research and Check Reviews

One of the other things to bear in mind is that you will find it far easier to research the appliances you need and even check out reviews from others when you go online. This makes it much easier for you to make the right decisions, and it means that you can learn more about how energy-efficient and reliable the appliance is.

These are some of the benefits of going online for your energy-efficient appliances. 

The post Why Shop Online for the Most Energy Efficient Appliances for Your Home appeared first on Green Prophet.

As climate change becomes a more significant concern, many homeowners question traditional landscaping practices and seek to lessen their environmental impact. While pristine green lawns may not be the greenest for the planet, there’s good news to be had.  

Using the correct type of high-quality seed from retailers like Nature’s Seed can significantly reduce your lawn’s carbon footprint without sacrificing its appearance. By investing in a high-quality grass seed, your yard can work its magic and positively impact the environment by preventing soil erosion and boosting oxygen production.

You can reduce your yard’s climate impact with these five proven ways to grow gorgeous grass with a clear conscience.

Use environmentally-friendly grass seed

Grass seeds from reputable companies are more sustainable and therefore inherently better for the earth. Seed from big box hardware stores contains fillers and toxins, but sustainable grass seed undergoes rigorous cleaning and testing. It’s also sourced carefully and ethically. 

Environmentally friendly grass seed also may require less water and maintenance to thrive, which can save you green in both your wallet and the planet. 

When choosing the right seed for your lawn, consider the benefits of Bermuda grass, which include its drought resistance and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. This warm-season grass thrives in hot climates with minimal water, making it an eco-friendly choice for sustainable landscaping.

Irrigation techniques

Water usage is one of the main ways that lawns detrimentally impact the earth. Deep and infrequent watering encourages more robust root growth, which means that your grass will feed itself rather than needing you to run sprinklers constantly.

In addition, install efficient gutters and invest in rain barrels to catch rainwater that can nurture your grass and flowerbeds. Keep your gutters clear in addition to trying other methods that are appropriate for your region.

Mowing the right way

Mowing matters more than you may think. Generally speaking, the less frequently you mow, the better. Always leave your grass clippings on the lawn to compost and fertilize the soil naturally.

One practical environmentally-friendly tip is to adjust your mower height. Use a higher setting when hot and dry since grass won’t grow as fast and doesn’t need as much mowing to thrive.

Consider switching from gas to an electric-powered mower with rechargeable batteries, in addition to electric trimmers and other lawn equipment. Using these tips, you can cut back on the amount of gasoline and fertilizer you use, both of which can be bad for the environment.

Avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides

Most fertilizers and pesticides are terrible for the environment. Keep in mind that these chemicals don’t stay where you apply them. Plant food and pesticides enter the air and seep into the ground, eventually making their way into drinking water. It’s not just dangerous for the earth, but for your family as well.

There are less damaging and organic products available, but all-natural methods are always preferable. Consult a local horticulturist or native plant society for tips and tricks for pests and conditions specific to your growing region. 

Add other environmentally-friendly features

There are lots of other things you can do to green your yard. For example, you can plant native flowers and other plant species that grow well naturally in your environment. Consider a rock garden or plants that don’t require as much moisture to thrive.

Pay attention to where the rain pools in your yard, and plant a garden there. Consider growing some of your own herbs, tomatoes, or other foods. The key here is to work with your local environment, and not despite it. 

Wrapping it up

Although the climate crisis might seem overwhelming, we can all make small changes that add up to a considerable impact. Growing eco-friendly grass designed for your region is one of those easy swaps with a big payoff for you and the planet.

The post The Art of Greener Grass: 5 Ways to Improve Your Lawn’s Environmental Impact appeared first on Green Prophet.

It was once a subject that some employers would have never breached. Now, it has become the new normal and for many of us, our homes feel as though they have become our permanent office space. And, well, they have. New backyard or basement offices. Tiny homes as offices. The whole idea sounds ideal but what if you have to hear your space or keep it cool? There are energy costs to consider.

Of course, while it has the obvious (pajama) benefits, there are some practical considerations that are starting to become more prominent. Many of us have gone from spending a few awake hours in a home, to the whole day. Ultimately, our energy bills are only going one way.

Bearing this in mind, today’s post is all about how you can send the costs of your energy plummeting if you are one of the many who are now working at home.

Easy infrastructure hacks

Firstly, don’t underestimate the ‘classic’ fixes. By these, we’re talking about the likes of insulation, double glazing and even draught stoppers.

All of the above has been contained in energy-saving guides for years, but if you are suddenly based at home all day, every day, the difference over the course of a year can be considerable.

About your boiler

For years, we have been told to consider energy efficient boilers – and for good reason.

However, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making the most of your boiler whilst working from home. These hydrogen boiler options might be new but can make a considerable dent in your energy bills (and are great for the planet as well).

Sure, an energy efficient boiler (or an A++ model, depending on where you are based) is an ideal solution in a lot of cases, but there are alternatives.

For example, what about ground or air source heat pumps? Or, if you really want to push technology, what about a hydrogen-fired boiler which have started to emerge?

These options might be new but can make a considerable dent in your energy bills (and are great for the planet as well).

It sometimes comes to opening the blind

OK, this subheading might have been a little understated. However, for many of us, working at home is quickly turning into rolling out of bed and grabbing the laptop. The result? Most of us don’t open the blinds or curtains until mid-morning at best.

Well, this is hurting us from an energy efficiency perspective. Quite often, the flurry of natural light in a morning is enough to gently nudge the temperature higher. Not only that, but particularly now we are in winter, you don’t have to rely on light switches as much.

Review what electrical devices you are using

Printer, monitor, desktop computer – the list of home working equipment could go on.

Quite often, we don’t use all of this at once though. Some of us will just sit with the laptop on our knee for a morning, while for others the printer only comes out once a week (or less).

As such, don’t leave these devices plugged in. It sounds small, but some sources believe that you could save up to 10% per year from your energy bill by unplugging or turning off switches for devices you are not using.

The post How to make working from home cheaper and warmer appeared first on Green Prophet.

Switching energy suppliers is one of the smartest ways to save money on your gas and electricity bills. It’s a lot simpler than most consumers think and takes very little effort on your part as the supplier will manage the whole switching process for you.

We have created this step by step guide which shows you how to switch energy supplier and start benefiting from cheaper gas and electricity.

What information do I need to switch energy company?

To switch your energy company, you will need the following: your postcode, a copy of your most recent energy bill or annual statement and an estimated 10-15 minutes of your time. For those that want to pay for their bills via Direct Debit, your bank account details will be required to set up this payment method. It’s useful to know that this is the cheapest way to pay for your gas and electricity supply.

Don’t panic if you can’t find your latest energy bill or annual statement. You will be able to see an estimate of how much energy you consume by answering a few basic questions about your household.

You should now have the above details ready. The next step is to head on over to one of the many price comparison sites that can be found online. Here are the four steps you will need to follow once you’re on one of these sites.

Step 1: Enter your home postcode

Enter your postcode and select your home address from the drop-down menu. Prices for gas and electricity are set on a regional basis. This means that not all suppliers and tariffs will be available to you. By entering your home address, you will only be shown deals that are relevant to you.

Step 2: Enter your current energy usage

Next, the online comparison site will want to know how much energy you currently consume. This will allow it to determine how much you could be saving when you switch energy company. Your usage details can be found on your latest bill or annual energy statement. If you don’t have this information to hand, an estimate can be provided by answering a few basic questions about your household.

Step 3: Choose your new energy tariff

Did you know that there are currently more than 55 energy suppliers in the UK? This competition helps drive down the price of gas and electricity but has the drawback of making your decision a little more difficult. Fear not as the comparison site can filter deals based on what you are searching for. It will be able to sort tariffs by lowest price first; a great way to quickly see how much you could save by switching energy companies.

Those that want to narrow down their results even further can do so. Other factors that may be important to you in addition to price may include the following:

• Green tariffs that use sustainable energy
• A tariff without an exit fee
• Various contract lengths (12, 18 or 24 months)

Step 4: Confirm your energy switch

The final step when switching energy suppliers is to confirm your switch. To complete this, you will need to provide your contact details and payment information.

That’s it! You have now completed the process. Your new supplier will contact your previous supplier to arrange a switchover date.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions after making the switch.

Will my gas and electricity supply be interrupted?

No matter what energy company you choose, your gas and electricity supply will not be interrupted whatsoever. In fact, it will continue to run as normal. The only real change you will notice is that a new energy supplier will now send you a bill and your unit rate will be altered to reflect the tariff you have chosen.

How long will the switch take?

Comparing energy prices and confirming the switch online can take up to 15 minutes. The actual switch normally takes around three weeks. During this period, your new energy supplier will manage the transition for you behind the scenes. If you do change your mind, there is a 14-day cooling off period.

Will I hear from my new energy provider?

The energy company that you have switched to will send you a letter and welcome pack in the post within a few days of the switch. This highlights the terms and conditions that you have agreed to, it includes information about your new tariff.

They will request that you take a meter reading. This will be forwarded to your old supplier to allow them to calculate your final bill.

In summary, comparing and switching energy companies is easy and simple with the help of an online comparison site. The new energy supplier will manage the whole process for you.

The post How to save money by switching energy supplier appeared first on Green Prophet.

The radio program “This American Life” once aired a story about a guy named Steve who was trying to get himself appointed as union boss in the Schenectady New York school district. So Steve developed a plan to make Lou, the current maintenance head, look wasteful. One of his minions explains:

“These football field lights, there are– God, I’m thinking about 120 of these lights and they draw a lot of power. So we had them turned on during the day and they stayed on for a few hours to eat up some energy. You know what I mean?”

So Lou, the “wasteful” maintenance manager is sacked and Steve turns off the stadium lights. Suddenly Steve is a miracle worker, saving the district so much energy he slides into the role of energy czar.

We’re not advocating that anyone should try this nor are we accusing anyone in Jerash, Jerusalem or Walt Disney World of playing Steve’s deceitful game, but turning off these excess daytime lights seems to be the most obvious and simplest form of energy conservation. Two years ago Green Prophet wondered how many off switches we can find before the summer solstice. With northern summer solstice only a few days away, how many unnecessary daytime outdoor can you find?

Here are a few we found:

Between the western wall of Jerusalem and Mount of Olives there is a road and on that road there are streetlights. This photo was taken in the middle of a bright sunny day and nearly all of these streetlights were turned on. I’m going to give Jerusalem’s city managers the benefit of the doubt and assume these are low wattage high pressure sodium lights, maybe 100 watts each for at least a dozen lights, that’s 1200 Watts wasted * 14.22 hours of summer solstice daylight, that’s 17.6 kilowatt hours wasted just during this one day. If these lights are on during the 3468 hours of daylight Jerusalem receives every year, it adds to 4161 kWh our 4.16 Megawatt hours wasted!

Maybe we can also assume that the man in the cherry picker is changing the light bulbs and maybe he needs the lights turned on to help him perform his job. But if Jerusalem were to replace these lights with LEDs, the dangerous task of working on live high-voltage streetlights won’t have to be performed as often.

Not to be outdone, Jerash is our next and perhaps finest example of energy hedonism. Notice how the standard 400 Watt hardware store halogen lights blend so perfectly into the two-thousand year-old Greco-Roman columns!

Are these lights turned on for aesthetic purposes or to give an air of historical accuracy? The bank of lights in the top photo must be absolutely eye-watering against a starry desert sky but in daylight they serve another purpose, an absolutely perfect way to waste 400W X 7 = 2800 Watts for no reason at all!

But the magical kingdom of Walt Disney World wins this round of the 2015 energy wastage Olympics. It isn’t enough that coal is burned to heat the atmosphere and require more air conditioning which spills out into the Florida outdoors to cool off the queues of sunburned tourists.

No, Walt Disney World also illuminates their massive parking lots during the long bright days of summer. Way to go Disney World but watch your back, Epcot’s retro 1970s style energy hedonism doesn’t hold a candle to what’s in store for places in the Middle East including UAE’s playground malls and cities.

The post Jerash, Jerusalem and Disney World waste Watts illuminating the sun appeared first on Green Prophet.

Solar energy panels are an important investment for planet earth, but also for residential homeowners that want to cash in on attractive feed-in tariffs. Homeowners that invest in solar energy can feed the power they generate back to the energy grid and in time make money after their initial investment in panels is paid off.

Most homeowners in the United States won’t know their solar energy-producing potential unless they hire a contractor to come and survey the roof, or run a DIY solar energy potential calculator found online. And not all homes are suited for solar panels.

Maybe your roof faces north, is blocked by tree cover or has too many complicated angles to justify solar panels? In these scenarios an investment wouldn’t pay off to the planet or your pocketbook. But how would you know?

An Israeli company called SolView has a solution to the problem.

Typically what happens today is that large solar energy integrators will send out canvassers hoping to attract homeowners to buy into solar energy opportunities.

According to industry estimates a company can spend $4000 for each new customer acquisition –– money that can be saved if they used automated rooftop scanning technology, according to SolView founder and CEO Ofer Sadka.

RELATED: White reflective roof paint can cool buildings by 20%

With 15 years in image processing and software development experience behind him Sadka’s company SolView makes use of publicly available images like from Google Earth and applies a special algorithm developed to identify regions, cities, towns, neighbourhoods and even zooms in on individual homes that would benefit from solar energy panels.

Of course one could put solar panels anywhere, but whether or not the investment is worth the installation is what SolView is helping companies understand.

I scanned my parent’s house in Ontario, Canada and saw that solar panels would never work for them. They have way too many trees shielding the roof.

SolView, in business since 2013, has raised about one million dollars from VCs like Capital Nature to grow the business in the United States, and it currently has business with a few publicly traded solar energy companies there. Solview is raising $2.5 million series A round for growth and expansion.

Knowing on which homes the sun shines brighter

“The key issue of SolView is our ability to automatically identify the solar potential of rooftops,” Sadka tells Green Prophet. “Some companies are able to do a manual process and provide somewhat of a similar output. Our key benefits are of automaton which means we can do it on a massive scale.

“Instead of targeting a specific prospect, we can scan or ‘canvas’ entire areas. Based on that initial canvasing a company can change their marketing processes to target the right prospects and then not rely on specific market campaigns to pan out.”

SolView’s business is in the US residential market and they work on a B2B model with installation companies.

Until now companies had to work with human canvassers who would walk up and down the street and knock on doors, even on the doors of homes with roofs that are non-viable for solar panels. An appointment would be scheduled, and then the process which is slow and cumbersome starts.

“We can know before the first canvasser knocks on the door whether the home is viable for solar panels. We can ‘see’ physical constraints such as a roof divided into different facets, or if it’s facing the south, which is good in the northern hemisphere. Are there excessive amounts of shading or a roof that is built with too many planes?” Sadka says.

For now it’s hard to know a golden number of what roofs work best for optimizing investment. That is up to the company selling the panels, Sadka explains.

He says there is a booming solar energy market in the US for residential use. He is also getting requests from the UK, Brazil, India and China.

“All the big companies are looking for sales and a much much shorter and cheaper customer acquisition process.”

The payment process? For now per rooftop. The company has since scanned hundreds and thousands and millions of rooftops for every customer. SolView sells by regions and which areas should be targeted by sales personnel.

If this means faster sales of solar panels, and higher customer acquisition at a lower price then I’d like to speak on behalf of the planet, if you don’t mind, and say that this is an excellent idea.

More on Solview here

The post SolView’s targeting solar energy rooftop potential on a massive scale appeared first on Green Prophet.

The app works with all “split units” (wall-mounted equipment that can heat or cool an interior space, or simply function as a room fan) as long as the unit has a remote control (and virtually all do).

Sensibo says its app could save consumers up to 40% on their AC electricity costs. Pretty cool!

You install a device on your AC unit that connects it to the internet. It also collects data from the surrounding micro-environment, allowing you to program on/off times so you could precondition room temperatures before use.  It can alert you to AC power status, so you’ll never leave the unit on in an empty house. It includes sensors for temperature, humidity, light and movement.  But the best feature may be veering into asset management: the app sends notifications when filters need cleaning or replacement – ensuring optimal performance at all times.

“We saw a huge opportunity to bring smart technology to the majority of the world’s A/C systems, filling a critical gap in the market without asking users to go out and buy a whole new air conditioner,” said CEO and co-founder Omer Enbar (pictured above).

He founded the Tel Aviv-based company last year.

Crowdfunding can kick-start more than realistically-proportion fashion dolls! Sensibo launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo seeking to raise $70,000 by July 4 to finance production. Initial investors are eligible to buy AC kits for discounted pricing in advance of public offering (shipment is planned for early 2015).

Sensibo points out that while their device is “smart”, the user needn’t be; the interface is easier and more intuitive than ordinary AC remote controls. The app – which is compatible with the majority of worldwide AC brands – can run on a smart phone, tablet, computer or Pebble watch. The device is installed in minutes using 3M mounting tape; which makes it both simple and portable – ideal for renters.

Enbar estimates that there are a billion air conditioners around the world that can work with his product. Make your AC unit smart, so that your monthly power bill doesn’t.

Or ditch the air con and get airy fairy with this hand-painted fan. Parisians do it!

The post Sensibo says it’s already cool. Now make your AC energy smart! appeared first on Green Prophet.

Smart phone developers aren’t just devising novel ways to deliver information about composting and how to save energy (like 5 green apps that can save the planet). They are helping us run our homes. 

Developers and startup companies are now unlocking the power of phones as mini computers and call centers to run solar systems. See Nova Lumos – a company that charges a per use fee to run and own solar panels in Africa.

The latest from Israel is a company called GreenIQ that pairs a smart phone with a home owner’s irrigation system.

For $200 and $35 shipping and handling, this smart system can operate your garden by Wifi even when you are on a trip to Helsinki.

Linking with available data, GreenIQ “knows” the outdoor humidity, chances of rain, and time of sunset, so that when you irrigate your plants and trees, or water your grass, you do so only when the water is really needed.

“The GreenIQ has no sensors. It gets all the weather information from the internet via WiFi. The weather data comes from the weather station nearest to your home,” Odi Dahan, GreenIQ founder and CEO tells Green Prophet.

Countries like Finland have been thinking about creating smart cities for years already. Israelis too have been coming up with great ideas, the problem is getting them implemented. GreenIQ however is ready to ship.

It does two things: it not only saves water, but the smart system, according to the company, can save you power by helping you turn off the garden lights. That is, if you aren’t already using solar power lights to light your way.

This is a good solution for home owners in suburbia who want their systems on autopower. Or for people who live in hot countries and travel a lot.

This is a problem we have when we leave the house for a month at a time. Since there is no smart system for feeding and walking the dog, or taking care of our chickens, we ask someone to come over to help.

We already have a sensor at home that turns our outdoor safety lights on come dusk, and I prefer to water my garden by hand. It’s actually the better part of my day when I do that.

But if you need to go on autopilot (I am thinking apartment landlords, or office buildings), GreenIQ could be the solution for you.

The post GreenIQ Waters Your Garden by Phone appeared first on Green Prophet.

About 20 percent of the operational expenses in office buildings, schools and hospitals goes toward energy — HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and electricity. Usually a default temperature is set for all year round, and the HVAC system and lights stay on even in unused rooms.
Now an Israeli company Beemtech aims to keep managers aware of how the space is being used in order to control the temperature and lighting more efficiently, and reduce costs dramatically, says CEO Nati Freiberg.

“Overall, our number one goal is to provide high energy savings for commercial buildings — non-residential schools, hospitals, you name it –– by nearly half. In lighting alone we have six strategies,” Frieberg tells ISRAEL21c.

Beemtech’s smart sensor system, which requires very little rewiring, monitors in real time what spaces are being used and by how many people. Is it too bright or too hot in the room? If the HVAC is turned off in half the building, how will this affect the other side?

Access to this data could enable better decisions on how to control the heating, cooling, lighting, and even how frequently the rooms need to be cleaned, explains Frieberg, who believes many companies and organizations are wasteful and ignorant about their energy consumption.

Beemtech is now in full sales mode in Israel and New York, where it is running two pilot sites and wooing customers.

Using small sensors that can measure carbon dioxide levels from breathing, movement, temperature and a range of other programmable parameters, Beemtech either sends alerts or automatically adjusts heating, cooling and lighting.

People using the space also have their say: Those authorized can use their smart phones to answer surveys about the comfort levels of lighting and temperature in their private or shared space, so that settings can be adjusted accordingly.

Lights on in empty offices are a big money waster. Image via Shutterstock.
Beemtech is also starting to work with energy savings companies so that clients can reduce and report their carbon footprint savings. This is especially relevant for companies that want to improve their sustainability reports and public image.

The cost of a system setup and maintenance depends on the scale: Over 10 years, it will cost about one year’s worth of energy savings, plus about 10 percent of annual energy savings for ongoing management and support that the company provides.

Beemtech is an 18-person company headquartered in the Science Park in Rehovot, a satellite city about a 40-minute drive from Tel Aviv. It also has an office in Manhattan. The company has been privately funded until now, but seeks $5 million to $10 million in order to put its smart sensors into mass production.

Beemtech is currently installing a system for a 10,000-square-foot office building in Ra’anana, Israel. This space will require about 80 sensors to gather “huge amounts of information” says Frieberg.

“If they have 200 meeting rooms, it is most likely that 80% of these rooms are empty most of the time. We can know how to manage every 100 square feet and can reduce costs by telling facility managers how to manage them.”

Urban planners and architects, he notes, can use information collected by Beemtech to better understand how spaces are really being used. Are open-concept offices working for a firm, or are employees scurrying to private meeting rooms instead? Does the new floor really need to be renovated or can office staff be moved to unused meeting rooms?

“It’s a bit funny that organizations spend so much money to control their assets like cars and computers, but energy, which is 20% of their budget for operation expenditures, is not done. We can promise to cut energy usage by 30 or 40 percent,” says Frieberg.

This story is reprinted from ISRAEL21c – www.israel21c.org

Image of radiator from Shutterstock

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